Burger

A big, juicy, hamburger – it’s an American icon. But how did it get to be so ubiquitous? And what really happens behind the scenes: where does a burger come from, and how does it make its way from a cow to your salivating mouth? Really, what is a burger, anyway?

Author Carol J. Adams leads with a history of the ground beef patty, including the rise of fast food, and how ground beef went from being mistrusted and suspected to becoming a national institution. But she doesn’t stop there – she examines the inherent violence behind burger-making: not only the death of the cow, but how it is raised, treated, and slaughtered, and how the workers producing this meat are (mis)treated as well. She uncovers the misogyny and sexism endemic in burger advertising, from corporate culture to the burger names themselves. Finally, she questions the very nature of the burger – with hope for more sustainable, delicious vegetarian- or laboratory-based burgers coming on the market soon. Based on meticulous, and comprehensive, research, Adams has packed a stunning, gripping expose into these few pages – one that may make you rethink your relationship with this food.